Key container



May 30, 1933. H, 5 U N 1,911,261

KEY CONTAINER Filed Aug. 6. 1951 M13011; $091129; 4 Ian/w Patented Ma 30, 1933 UNITED ST T PATENT-1 oFFic-e naacacrsorranunsomornocxrnrvmomo I Application ma August 0, 1931. Serial ramps;

' 'This invention relates to key cases and has for its principal object the provisionof a container wherein the keys may be positioned within acommon case and associated with mechanismfor exposing any particular key without disturbing the normal POSItIOD of the remaining keys.-- 'An additional ob ect is to provide a case, which is well ada ted for holdingkeys of difierent length an for retaining them in such manner that the case QOIDPIISBS a comparatively thin, flat package that can be conveniently carried in the pocketor'hand bag ofthe user..

Refe now to the drawing, Flg. 1s a side elevation. of a key .case embodying my invention; Fig. 2 isa top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is a sectiontaken on the hne 3 -3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on an enlarged scale taken onthe line 4-4 Fi 2 and Fig. 5 is a section taken on still a ther enlarged scale on the line 5'-5 of F 1g. 4. I carry out my invention by providing a flat case'with partitions which define pockets into whichthe various keys are adapted to '25 be placed. I Such case preferably comprises a U-shaped outer member 10, partitions 11, which divide the container -1I1t0 ockets 12. In the preferred arrangement, t e partitions are welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the bottom wall 13 of the casing 10 and are thereby held in upright parallel relationship. Furthermore, the partitions preferably have portions 14 thereof struck outwardly therefrom for engaging the sides of thekeys and holding them in place.

The keys indicated at 15 are disposed within the kets and are pivotally'mounted on the casing at 16. In the form shown, there are five keys within the case, two of which arepivoted at one end, and the remaining at the other end of the casing. The pivotal connection embodies a removable unit, which en- Y ables the keys to be readily positioned within the case or removed therefrom. The connection shown comprises a tubular member 20, which is internally threaded and is adapted tobe inserted into the case from one endthereof, and an externally threaded member 21 which is adapted to engage the threads of the member 20, and to be inserted of different length and provides a simple,

therein from the opposite side of the Any form of pivot, however, may-be utilized for removably holding the keys in place.

To facilitate ejectionof the keys I refer to mount a spring 25 in the bottom 0 each pocket and to utilize a leaf spring which is adapted to be loaded when thekey is pressed downwardlv into its pocket. I then provide a latchmechanism for holding the Spring in loaded position, witha'relea'sing device for unlocking the latch and thereby releasing the sprin The released spring then overcomes the friction of the partitions and forces the fl-SSOClQtBd key out of the pocket, so that it is immediately available for use.

The preferred latch arrangement comprises a flexible member 26, which is anchored, as at 27, to the adjacent partition, but on the side op ite the associated spring. The upper end 0 the latch is provided with a tongue 28, which is adapted to extend through a notch 29 in the partition, and to engage the flattened end portion 30 of the spring 25 when it is loaded. The latch may be actuated by a thumb button 31, which is disposed on the outer end of a spindle 32. Suchspindle extends through openings in the outer casin and partition and is rigidly connected at t e inner endthereof to the latch 26. The normal set of the metal which forms the latch tends to keep the tongue thereof disposed in the path of the spring 25, so that after the thumb button is pressed inwardly to release the spring 25, the latch is returned to the normal position, as soon as the pressure is released. i

To retain the key within the holder, even though the latches may be inadvertently op- Y erated while the case is being carried in the pocket of the user, I have shown a flexible strap 35, one end of which is anchored tothe side of the case and the other end of which is adapted to be detachably fastened to the opposite side of the case as by a snap fastener 36.

An advantage of my invention is the fact that the bottom engagement of the key by its associated spring adapts the holder for keys compact mechanism, bywhich'the ejection 'comprlsmg in combination, a container havmay be accomplished. Furthermore, any

particular key may be withdrawn from the case without disturbing therelative position of the other keys.

I-claim: V

1. A key holder comprisinglsa container having a pocket therein,akelyl posed within the container and p1vota jaeent one endof the container, a 'sprmg psitioned in the bottom of the key, a latch eng 7 the spr' in loa ed position, an a memberposition outside the container an attached tothe latch for enabling it to release the spring. a a

2. A. keydlcoigainer, having I: pogket openingoutwar y om oneedget ereo asprlng carried by the container within thepocket, and adapted to be loaded by movement of the key into the pocket o latch enga mg the spring to hold the spr" in the loa ed posi-' ed with the. partitions for frictionally enthe bottom edge y mounted ad whereby et and from the adapted to be engaged anddepresed by the the-spring-for holding ging'the keys and-holding them within Y fie container, a'spring1 adapted to o eac key and means for holding the spring loaded mdependentl of" 6. A device of on s me described,

mg a pocket therein a key ivotally mounted at one end thereof'and adapted-to be disposed within the pocket, a leaf spring carried by the container, at yieldable latch engag ingthe spring for holding the spring inloa ed iii-1 011 and means outside the container or actuating the latch to releasethe spring the spring operates to eject the key 7. A key holder 'comprisingin combination, acasing having a p uralityof partitions therein for dividing it into a plurality of compartments, means for supporting a key ineach of the compartments, aspring associated withthe casing adjacent the bottom 7 of. each compartment, said sprinfilbeing loaded movement of a key into ment, each of saidsp 7 having a portion adapted-to engage the ttom of the associated key and a portion spaced from the bottom of the key, a latch for each compartment carried by the partition and adapted to enter-the space between the and'keyfor holding the spring in loa ed position,"and means outside of the casing for selectively oprating the latches to release the associated e-compart- In testimonywhereof, my signature.

the key, saidmeans being releasableom' I a point exteriorally of the container.

. 4; A key holder comprising in combination a container, a key pivotally mounted therengaging the side in, means'for frictlonally e i of. the key and for holding it within'the container, a spring beneath the key, a latch for holding the spring inloaded position inde-.

pendently of thekey, and amember connected with the latch and projecting outside of the container, said member being operable to release the latch, whereby the loaded spring is released and container.

having a partition therein, having a key ocket, a latch, a key pivotally mounted wlthinthe ket, a ring also on the side of the partition opposite the v pocket and having, a portion thereof extending through the partition and adapted to enthe key-is ejected from the a" 5. Akey container comprising a sai partition HARRISON s;

mounted within the'po et, o latc disposed gage the spring and to hold it in loaded pods t1on, and a member disposedexteriorly the container and-attached to the latch, said member beingladapted when operated torelease ,the latc ,Whereby the released and the key forced t the'pocket.

ring maybe ereby outof 

